Fighting the good fight(s): 5 Questions With Bonhomme Director of Culture Paloma Martinez and the importance of mental health
In a business where taking care of others is at its core, the hospitality industry hasn’t been so great at taking care of its own. That’s a concept not lost on Paloma Martinez, who as Director of Culture for Bonhomme Hospitality Group focuses on nurturing and advancing mental health, diversity and equality for the company’s employees.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
Working with people and that every day is different. You can never predict what will happen, so you have to improvise, which I love.
WHAT SKILLS DOES SOMEONE NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT YOUR JOB?
You need to be able to read people and their emotions. You must be the best listener ever. And super important is having the quality of empathy. You must be in their shoes. Working in this industry isn’t easy between the long hours, crazy schedules and easy access to alcohol. By regularly visiting every restaurant in the company and making myself available to both front- and back-of-the-house employees, I’m ensuring that if someone needs me, I’m there.
WHAT MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE ABOUT YOU?
I have a Masters of Arts in Behavior Modification and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Universidad Pontificia Salamanca. Also, I play the piano and studied classical ballet. I did that because of my father, who was an opera singer and is obsessed with classical music.
HOW DO YOU KEEP CALM IN THE STRESSFUL HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY?
First, I need to be in balance with my emotions. It was a long training to learn how to be calm with myself. It wasn’t a quality I possessed. Typically, I try to step back, breathe for two minutes and focus on solutions and never on the problem. I always try and find more than one solution, so I have options. Also, I’m a big believer in ice cream.
YOUR SUPERPOWER?
Being a woman in a man’s world and fighting the good fight every day. I didn’t create this superpower because this was a gift from my parents, but I’m trying to make them proud.
